Welcome to the Winter edition! As we approach the year’s end, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. However, I encourage everyone to slow down and take the time to take stock in the year we’ve had. As I look through the last year of events documented in the Exceptional Release, I am reminded of the incredible accomplishments of the men and women of LOGNATION.
This edition of the ER carries on the exciting work of logisticians worldwide kicking off with Part 2 of Mr. JD DuVall’s captivating fictional narrative setting the stage for the Space Logistics Challenge of 2025. Alongside his, we delve into critical advancements on the ground to improve our supply systems through the application of modern technologies. Nowhere is that truer than with Maj Sanders’ article describing the cyber threats in Cloud Computing or from a team of logisticians from Education with Industry supplying the warfighter with asset visibility through RFID technology.
However, even with the best technology applied in the perfect way, we cannot forget the rest of the equation. Sometimes the most important missions we do come down to the simplest of things. Our relationships with our international partners around the world are the cornerstone to access and our ability to strike our enemies anytime, anywhere. Capt Trudeau and 1stLt Kustra provide highlights from the Marine Aviation Support Activity 2024. This bilateral training event with the Armed Forces of the Philippines is designed to cultivate these invaluable relationships and enhance interoperability in a multi-domain environment.
As we close 2024 we should take stock in the knowledge that no matter how good we are today, there is always room for improvement and I’m thankful that there are smart people tackling these big problems. Lt Col Gamache presents an effort to tackle sustainment aircraft maintenance capabilities in a contested environment through the use of afloat logistics. As Headquarters Air Force continues to shape and focus this effort, we are interested in your feedback, so please add to the discussion.
Part of our dedication to improvement each year is tied to the investments we make in officers we send out to the Education with Industry (EWI) program with the intent for them to develop business acumen and the ability to incorporate innovative practices into the Air Force culture. As a recent EWI fellow, Capt Rogers provides her insights from this experience with industry, discussing how we can learn from Delta Airlines’ fuels practices. We also see improvements this year highlighted by Capt Pfeffer’s exploration of the Standard Air Munitions Package (STAMP) capability and what it can provide the Combatant Commanders. Additionally, Chief Vasquez rounds out this edition with a discovery look at your values and how they shape who you are. You’ll want to get a pad and pen to write somethings down for this one.
While the rest of the world watches, LOGNATION makes history. We accomplish more on a Tuesday than most Air Forces have accomplished in their entire history. It’s what we do every single day, with the support of our families, friends, and an ever-grateful American people. Whether you’ll be celebrating at a dining facility with others in uniform or around a dinner table with family and friends, I hope you take the chance to reflect. Take stock this season in all that we have accomplished and all that we have to be thankful for. Enjoy the season knowing logisticians around the world will be doing the work they love for a people they proudly defend.
Please feel free to reach out to me directly at editor@loanational.org and consider contributing to the conversation by submitting an article for publication. On behalf of the entire ER team, we appreciate your continued submission and support. We look forward to another year highlighting the innovation and successes of your chapters and logisticians across the globe. I’m looking forward to seeing you all for #LOA2025!
Jason A. Castleberry
Chief Editor
Exceptional Release Journal